MBU Week 4: Wed

I walked around Reading: Bath Road - Brunwick Road- Western Elms - Oxford Road - Reading Central - Chain St - (back on) Castle Hill/Bath Road.

Last night was just along bath road and town centre. I didn't get to go to Napier Road. So, I thought I would walk the route I mentioned above to compensate for it.

I think I am doing alright. Weather was sunny, rainy & wet and then cold cloudy and then sunny again.

I sweated like a babe ... the pig! ;-)

Deposit for Sepilok Volunteer

I have just paid for £90 (and then end of next month another £100) as the deposit for Sepilok Volunteering Program.

So now I am assured a place for the September 2008 program.

I am really looking forward to it, but now I need to decide which marathon do I wan to run for to raise the fund. I really want to go to New York Marathon, it is just a buzz thinking of going there. It would so exciting, my 1st marathon in New York. But I need to be sensible.

I'll try for another month to see if I can do it with NY marathon. If it is not possible, I would just need to do it in London next April.

Wish me luck! Hmm ... Where do these charity people network? I should try to bump into them.

MBU Week 4: Tues

Distance: 3 miles
Temperature: 8C
Weather: Wet

Forecast: I should be running to today, but I need to go to TESCO to get some home basic. I'll walk to build up mileage. It is located at Napier Road,

Still no internet at home.

MBU Week 4: Sun - Moving House

No I didn't run to Reading from Abingdon. I was tied up with moving, so I had to forgo the training. Plus I don't have internet to blog. New place new adjustments.

MBU Week 3: Sat

Distance: 4 miles
Temperature: 12C
Weather: cloudy with occasionally ray of sun. A nice day

I was at home, so just did a quick run around Abingdon. I ran around 12 Acre Drive to the cross of Oxford Road with Radley Road and then on 12 Acre Drive to go back home.

Time: 55 mins. Guess I am slacking on the timing.

MBU Week 3: Thrus

Distance: 3 miles odd
Temperature: 10C
Weather: Light shower in the late evening, so the road is kinda wet. But otherwise nice day to run.

Yesterday, I would in London for a networking event til late, so I thought I would just bring my running gear to London.

I ran along St. John's Wood Road, leading to Regent Park. The route continued on the Outer circle of the Regent Park till Barker St tube station and back to St. John's Wood Road. Passed London Business School and it is beautiful. The lightning at night just make it so majestic! It is the exact pic on the main page of their website.

It was a light run, but I had fun exploring, sure is a good way to get myself familiar with this place, since I would be coming quite often. I still remember few weeks ago, when I was here for an interview. I should do this for other part of London.

Just emailed another friend to see if she is interested in running next wed/Thurs.

Time: 32mins

Another one: Run for Free* with 2:09 Events

http://www.mssociety.org.uk/ms_events/running/ny_marathon.html

----on the website-----
Run for FREE*
Run New York for FREE if you book before May 1st*

We have teamed up with 209 Events, the official travel partners of the ING New York Marathon, ro provide you with a full marathon experience. They will organise your flights, accommodation and race entry fee for you, as well as throwing in a few extras. Simply visit their website at 209 events to select and book your package, quoting the MS Society as your charity.

There is no minimum sponsorship requirement for these places however we do offer some great refund packages to help you run for FREE!*

If you raise £1500 in sponsorship we will refund your flights and race entry fee up to £550.
If you raise £2000 in sponsorship we will also refund your flights, race entry fee and accommodation up to £800.
We do also have "entry-only" places in this race. Please click on the next tab for more information on these places.

*subject to terms and conditions Entry only places

The MS Society is lucky enough to have a number of "place only" entries in the 2007 New York Marathon. If you would like one of these places you will have to arrange your own flights and accommodation.

We ask for a minimum of £1500 in sponsorship for one of these places and they will be allocated on a first come first served basis. To apply please download our New York 2007 application form (79 kb) and send it back to us as soon as possible with a cheque for £100 (made payable to the "MS Society") to cover your deposit (this will be refunded once the minimum sponsorship has been reached).

Should you be able to raise over £2000 we will also refund £350 to go towards the cost of your trip.


Package


Fundraising pack with sponsorship and comprehensive tips & advice
Professional running vest
Regular newsletters packed with training information
Cheering points in New York
Support from the MS Running Team
Pre- and post-team get togethers in New York

Souvenir Newsletter


Please click on the link to view the 2007 souvenir newsletter.

If you would like a paper copy please email newyork@mssociety.org.uk and we will send one out to you.

NYM06 souvenir newsletter (586 kb)



Event Contact
Running Team
MS Society
372 Edgware Road
Cricklewood
London
NW2 6ND
Tel.0870 241 3565
Fax.0208 438 0877
newyork@mssociety.org.uk

Maybe through Rainforest Foundation ...

Today I found a website that support runners to New York Marathon.

http://www.rainforestfoundationuk.org/s-International%20Marathons%202007
---on the webpage----
International Marathons 2007

With our travel partners, The Rainforest Foundation is able to offer you the chance to run a Marathon in almost any major city across the World. A small sample of courses is on offer on the left but if there is a marathon that you want to enter and raise money for The Rainforest Foundation then drop us a line.

We’ll pay for your flight, accommodation and entry if you raise our minimum sponsorship. We’ll also offer you any training or nutritional advice you might need along with fundraising tips so that you can hit your fundraising total.

The New York Marathon has for some years been our most popular so if you see that times or dates aren’t confirmed on this or any others, still get in contact so we can look to reserve you your place.

Berlin
Boston
New York
Rome
Tokyo
Please contact Nick Tuchband on 020 7485 0193 for further information or to see what other International Marathons are available

They are located in Central London, I'll go visit them this week. Meeting is much impressionistic than just talking on the phone. Less see if I can do it this way.

MBU Week 2: Sat & Sun

Distance: 4 miles & 5 miles
Temperature: 8C
Weather: Sunny, so it actually feels a lot better today

I was in London this weekend for Chinese New Year. I had a friend from Singapore that was here and I have a get-together at Pimlico.

I walked about ~4 miles for each day:
Saturday - shopping with Chris (4 hours), we walked from High St Kensington, pass through Hyde Park, to Bayswater. We walked all along Bayswater for the 3 hrs and then headed back the same route to High St. Ken. In the evening, I got losed looking for my friend place at Madison Close and headed the opposite direction towards the Embankment. That took me a good 20min away from the tube station and 20min to get back to the tube station to start all over again. Finally it was only 10 mins walk (in the right direction to his place). By then I was already an hour late! Next, die die must buy London A-Z!!! But hey I got to build up my mileage!

Sunday - High St Ken for 30 mins, and Covent Garden's Neal Street to Leicester Sq where Chinatown is. That's about 2 hrs of slow walk (because my shoes was hurting me!) and congested due to Chinese New Year!

I think I did my fair bit. I should be back on my running shoes this coming week. No more boots and high heels. My back is really getting a tow ...

MBU Week 2: Thurs - I am sick today!

Distance: 4 miles
Temperature: 10C
Weather: Windy and wet.


I went for my physio therapy again. After 2-week ago treatment, I still have a slight pain... or more like an aching feel at my tail bone. So he did his usual bends, pulls, pressure point tappings, twists on my topless body (with brassiere!)

But I was already feeling a little tired for the last few days, and have not been eating right lately, skipping too many meals. Maybe I also exerted myself a little too much.

I guess with such low immune system, the inflammation occurred during the physio took whatever I have left in me.

I just popped two tablets of paracetamol and I am just gonna called it a nite.

MBU Week 2: Tues

distance: 4miles
Time: 45 mins
Temperature: 5 C
Weather: Raining and Windy, so it feels low than that!

I did my run, as usual. did the oxford rd/radley road circuit.

Isn't the world a crazy place?

One of my many reasons that I am doing this...

(Please give some time to watch this MTV, as it really sing a lot of meanings!)


or
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GRnLPmME2I

Maybe a motivation for you to act now ... to make our world a better place? May it be just a conscientious heart & mind, or better, just a little banter with friends during your Sunday alfresco morning coffee. ... I deeply hope.

Reply from the Chairperson of Sepilok Appeal UK.

It was sad that they won't be able to help me in getting a slot with NY marathon. Maybe I should switch to another marathon, maybe next year's London Marathon. It would just expensive to go to NY on my own £££.

She replied today evening. Here's the email correspondence.

Dear Ulugange,

Thank you for your email regarding the NY Marathon. I regret to inform you that we will be unable to assist you in this matter for you to be able to fund your placement at Sepilok. We take pride in informing our supporters that 84% of the money which is donated to the Appeal actually goes towards plight of the orangutan. This money goes towards projects which the Appeal and Sepilok centre identify. The volunteering project is expensive and a substantial amount of the money goes towards the cost of your flights, accomodation and upkeep.
We wish you luck in raising funds and hope you enjoy your experience at Sepilok.

Kind regards,
Kristina Maurice-Jones
Sepilok Orangutan Appeal UK


----- Original Message -----
From:
To:
Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2007 6:16 PM
Subject: HELP: New York Marathon - Fund Raising for Sepilok VolunteeringProgram with
Travellers

Hey Ms Chairperson,

I am Ulugange, a PhD student with University College London, London UK. I have got a slot with Travellers.com on their Orang Utan Project in Malaysia for September 2008. A long awaited aspiration I have been dreaming to fulfil!

As I am half marathon runner, I set out a challenge for myself to run a full marathon this year. After given it much thoughts, I thought it would be a great idea to raise the fund needed for me to volunteer in this marathon.

I am approaching you with great help in need. As you may know, one of the way (other than paying exorbitant price) to get into NY marathon is joining a charity and raise the target fund they set for you, and then the charity will give you a slot to run. (from what I gathered on the internet, this is my 1st fund-raising run, my previous runs don't require me to raise fund, but pay to run.) So, I was hoping that Sepilok Orang Utan Appeal UK, now a registered charity, would be able to help me to get a run slot in NY marathon so that I can raise fund for the project.

I know that NY marathon UK has their own set of (UK) local charities that runners from UK can sign up for. But the list of charities didn't appeal to me, as I am really passionate about orang utan. The world got to know about
these primates!

Of course, if Chairperson is willing to embark on this, I will be more than grateful to build awareness of this charity organization during the run, like carrying Sepilok Orang Utan Appeal UK flag, wear its t-shirt or pants, carry a recording, broadcasting the effort, or even wear a monkey suit to create impact... throughout the entire 26.2 miles! The return for your organization would be enormous! Just by sheer number, NY marathon is the most grand running event in the world, attracting a 30,000 strong international participants, tens of thousands of volunteers and not forgetting the home crowd of New York city that comes out every year to support runners on that day. The advertising is ubiquitous.

To show my commitment to this fund raising and also as a personal log and commitment, I have set up an official blog to act a medium to communicate with my friends, family and of course sponsors about both my running and later volunteering project in Sepilok. It is a public blog. Blog address is http://pushinglimit.blogspot.com

As you might already know, the fund raised is not solely for my logging and food during the program, but also serves to fund the operation of the sanctuary.

I really hope for your favorable reply. If it is not the case, I hope you would be able to guide me to any organizations that I can seek help from for my purpose. But of course it is my deepest wish that Sepilok Orang Utan Appeal UK would be able to assist me in this.

Hope to hear from you as your soonest. Thank you.

with personal regards,
Ulugange

--------------------------
Ulugange
PhD Student
Institute of Neurology
University College London
Queen Square
London WC1N 3BG

Tel XXXXXXXXXXX
Email xxxxx@ucl.ac.uk
---------------------------

MBU Week 1: Sat

Time:
Reading station - East Reading return 20min
Reading Station - North Reading return 20min
Reading Station - West Reading return 26min

Distance: ~3 miles

Temperature: 10 degree Celsius

Weather condition: Rainy and wet

so I estimated that I would completed 0.5 miles in every 10 mins fast walk. (My run time is 1 miles/10mins) In total, I would have accomplished 3 miles odd. I did walkking too during shopping for CNY clothes too. (But didn't buy anything eventually)

I did this when I went to Reading for house-viewing, in search for a place to move in to. So I make it such a way that I would walk back to the station to meet the next person. One, I will know how long it takes for me to walk to the train if I were to live there and Second, to build up my mileage.

I did have a sinful meal again (I didn't have time for breakfast!). It's JACKET POTATO (= pure glucose) with chicken, spinach and crispy bacon. I have mocha coffee too. Again, warm, comfort food.


It's half past 10 now. I think I am not gonna eat anything. It's too late now. Guess the jacket potato is not be too sinful afterall.

MBU Week 1: Thrus

Distance: 4miles
Time: 0 min
Temperature: -7 degree Celsius
Weather condition: Rainy + snowy.


This morning when I woke up ...



Led me to the most sinful lunch I ever had since coming to UK ... but it's comfort food ...


while on the ride home this evening ...



I have to forgo this evening run, as the footpath is not very big and the condition is slippery and dangerous at some part because I would need to run on the road. It may be too cold for my back too. But temperature is getting back up tomorrow. If not too cold, I'll do a substitute run.

I found that Sepilok Orang Utan is a registered charity in UK!

They are called Sepilok Orang Utan Appeal UK. They have one in Denmark as well.

There's their website: http://www.orangutan-appeal.org.uk/

I'll write to the chairperson tomorrow about getting a place in NY Marathon. Just have to convince my way through!!

Too tired from 3 consecutive days in London. But I am happy today. Now I can increase my network! More chance to raise more $$!! (actually pounds!)

TO All My Friends and Family, DON'T WORRY!

Just have some friends commenting and emailing about the program, if I am sure about it , will it imposed too much danger?

By the way, thanks so much for the concern. It's nice to see some support and concern and not perceive me like I am crazy, just because I want more out of life.

To be truthful, I don't know how dangerous it would be. Well, it's organized by an UK organization and of all nationalities, United Kingdom is the most up-to-date on these kinda of security. If they have been operating out of UK and sending people from UK to Malaysia and the program is STILL running well, if not too well, I think it should be safe enough for me.

What more it's my own country! I speak the local language and know the local culture at the back of my hand.

For the work, I am not sure what I am up to, maybe like cleaning cages, shit crap after all the babies orang utan (that's why you see them in diapers in the picture sometime), a lot of tracking in the forest to collect data about the habitat, like the existing population.

Well, to know more about it, if you are interested too, here's the website.
http://www.travellersworldwide.com/11-malaysia/11-malaysia-orangutans.htm

But still I am ready for it. Well I have a year and nine months to prepare myself.

I got a Date fixed for Sepilok! But Problem ...

I called Travellers' Vicky today. I GOT a date: September to November 2008. that's the earliest they can slot me in, as the program is very very popular. To secure a place, I need to pay £90.00.

But they don't have any tie-up with New York Marathon or any charity organizations, as they are independent volunteering facilitator.

I was like, DAMN! What am I gonna do now? But I'll figure something.

The thing is you can only run with a charity. But I did found this travel agent that do let runners to get a place without fund raising, but they need to buy the whole package (travel and logging) from them. It's around £900.00.

If I were included that in, I need to raise close to £3700.00. That's more than double the normal fund need to be raised to get slot in the marathon. It may be pushing too much of the limit. I need to figure another way to do this.

MBU Week 1: Tues

Temp: -1C
Distance: 3.4 miles
Time: 31 min

Can You BELIEVE it? Minus degree and I accomplished 3.4 mile in 31 mins!!! It was the cold really. I just have to keep on going, coz it's just no way I would wan to stay a min longer if I don't need to!!! So it turned out to be a good thing. It helps to train in the cold as November may not be as warm really.

My previous timing is 6 mins per km, 10 min per mile. That's my peak. So technically I would have to finish 3.4 mile in 34mins... if I am as fit as I used to be. In the journey home, I told myself I would give myself 45 min to finish.

Gues I am fit enough ya!! I am so happy to find out!! Totally enthu now for my next run now, no matter how cold it is!

Travellers called!!

But I was in class. I will try to call her again tomorrow, see she work only till one in the afternoon.

Here's her correspondance:

-------------------------------------
Thanks Ulugange, I've been trying to get hold of you to have a chat about the project. If you can give me a call back on 02081443087 that would be great I'm available anytime before 1pm Monday to Friday. I look forward to speaking to you soon.

With kind regards
Vicky

PS: Please include the text of this email in your reply because it helps us
tremendously. Also, if we have attached a PDF document that you cannot access, please let us know and we shall resend it as a word doc - thanks!

Vicky Boughton - Manager
Travellers Worldwide - voluntary placements overseas
7 Mulberry Close, Ferring, West Sussex, BN12 5HY
Tel: +44 (0)1903 502595
Fax: +44 (0)1903 500364
Email: vicky@travellersworldwide.com
Website: www.travellersworldwide.com


Travellers are very proud to introduce their new company, TEFL Time! Get qualified to teach English as a Foreign Language. TEFL Time runs professional UK based weekend courses - see www.tefltime.com for details.

Travellers is a founder member of the Year Out Group

---------end----------


Tomorrow is my run again, I need to get home early from london. 3 mile and i found a tarred route that I can run on.

My First Day of Training - 4 mile

4 mile = 6.43 km.

Dan told me about Radley footpath that I can go on. It's really scenic, he said. I might as well give it a go! So just before the sunset, I told myself that I would head out. By 3, I was ready to run.

The track was not very good in the 1st half of the run. Muddy. Towards the end, it's on the road and tarred path. Overall, a good start. It's true about the scenary. It's beautiful, I can imagine how it would look like in autumn. I have included a series of pictures here. There is this big fallen tree Dan told me about. One complimentary farm pic for my dear Evan who would certainly miss called me a farm girl. In the pic, it says Peachcroft farm with a horsy gazing at the back, that's for you, my dearest ah beng ko! hehehe ...



1st, The foot path was really muddy and uneven.


2nd, the 1st bridge that I have to across. After this bridge, it's all uphill.



3rd, that's the border that I would be running. It's on top of the hill, with many oak trees... Just imagine in autumn with the leaves going oranges.


4th, this is the gate that mark the beginning of that stretch to Radley College.


5th, here's the stretch. Again, ground is soft and uneven. I felt my sock wet after this stretch of track


6th, at the end of that stretch, there was a sign saying that I cant run to the school, coz of the golf course. *Darn* Where can I go? Then I saw some footpath leading around the g course., decided to follow it.


7th, alongside the course.


8th, the condition is far worse!! I have to run through this twice, because it doesn't take me around, but away from the school. I headed back to the side of the golf course and tried to find my way there, the way Dan told me.


9th, this is the gold course i ran passed. You know like when you are doing something like trespassing, it's fear of getting caught. I saw someone from a distance, I was like shit, I'll get caught. Just move faster. Then the closer I get, I found out it was a lady with a pram, instead of a man with a lawn. *Relief*


10th, Yape this's the fallen oak Dan was telling me. It is beautiful. Huge too!


11th, Proof of me being there!! Behind me is the fallen tree.


12th, that's how my shoes looks like after that.


13th, Just want to add these in, as these weed flowers just sprouted from nowhere, surely not garden grown.


14th, the rest of the track was just on road ....


15th, ... and on good tarred path! Beyond the horizon, that's Peachcroft, where I live. It's finishing...


16th, here's the pic, specially for Evan. Ya, I am living in an area with farms ...


17th, almost there ... Lumberd Road, leading to my home!!


18th, Ahh ... Home sweet home ...

19th, my front door, and the side gate leading to the backyard. My duvet cover is being shinned. No I don't do it all the time, you seldom get the sun out like this.


20th, that's me, after washing up my shoes ... ready for my shower.

---End----

Time: 55 mins. I can do better. I need to try hard next time, but it's really cold.

Milage build-up Training Start Next week.

After estimating the time I need to get done with my whole marathon training, I have come out with the entire schedule, which I did it last weekend.

So as scheduled, my mileage training starts next week, well it's actually this Sunday.

Just want to remind myself.

Signed Up with Travellers.

So I have signed up for Travellers.com yesterday.

Just checked my email this morning, nothing from them yet. will wait for their reply.

I did indicate to them that I would like to run the NY marathon to raise fund, but don't know how to go about it.